25 Years Ago Halloween Night

It was 25 years ago Halloween night I went to my very first concert. I was 14 years old and went to see Helix with opening act Kick Axe at The Golden Garter on the Exhibition grounds in Edmonton.What a great double bill for 1984, some classic Canadian metal. After seeing this concert I was instantly hooked to seeing bands live. There is nothing like seeing a band perform live in person.
Hard to believe that I have been going to shows for 25 years now. I'm getting older, but still rocking, good times!!!

Old School Album For The Week of Oct. 26-30

This week I have been listening to Anthrax's album called Among The Living which came out in 1987 (which was their 3rd full album release). This was their classic line up and best line up they ever had. I also think this is their best album that they ever released, and still stands the test of time. It's classic thrash metal, and after listening to it all week, it still rocks big time.
I don't really think there is a bad track on this whole album. Stand out tracks for me are the title track, Caught In A Mosh,Indians,I Am The Law and Imitation Of Life.
I have been lucky enough to see Anthrax 3 times, all of them with the classic line up of Scott(Not)Ian, Dan Spitz,Frank Bello,Charlie Benante and on vocals Joe Belladona. First time I saw them live was opening for KISS in 1988 on KISS's Crazy Nights Tour, Anthrax blew them off the stage (my bro managed to meet Anthrax before the KISS show), then saw them open for Iron Maiden in 1991 and finally on a reunion tour opening for Megadeth on the Gigantour. They have always put on an excellent show. EFILNIKUFESIN

Corb Lund Album Review

In late September Corb Lund and his band The Hurtin' Albertans released their latest album Losin' Lately Gambler on the American label New West Records (home to such as artists as Drive By Truckers,Steve Earle,Kris Kristofferson and many other blues/roots bands). I am glad it took me a while before I reviewed it, cause on my first few listens, I didn't much care for it. Now after hearing it for over a month, I have to say it is quite good. His band Hurtin' Albertans are sounding good and Corb is still singing about the ranch life and songs with Canadian themes such as Long Gone To Saskatchewan, one of my fave tracks on the album, he even gives a shout out to Stompin' Tom Connors in this song, and well he should. he also has a song called Alberta Says Hello and This Is My Prarie, so there is no fear of Corb forgetting where he comes from. Other stand out tracks to me are, A Game In Town Like This,Steel Rider's Blues. And to end the album, is a live version of Time To Switch To Whiskey recorded at festival in Australia, this song was originally on his album Five Dollar Bill(on Stony Plain Records).
Also, if you look, there is a special edition of the CD that comes with a DVD of his live performance recorded at The Edmonton Coliseum in April of 2008, a show that I was at. I have seen Corb play 10 times, and is always a good time, if ever given the chance to see Cob Lund play, I highly recommend checking him out.
Overall, I give this album a 7 out of 10.

Old School Album Of The Week For Oct 19-23

This is the first of what I hope to make a weekly thing of, I am going to reminisce on an old album every week.
This week it is Alice Cooper's album Constrictor released in 1986. I totally remember when this was released, I was so stoked to see that Alice was making a comeback. I had been listening to Alice for a few years before this release. But of course I was listening to all his old stuff from his hey days of the 70's.
Well after listening to Constrictor for the past week on my mp3 player, I have to admit, I still actually get a kick out of this album. Alice was sounding good,his lyrics weren't quite as sinister as they were in the 70's but they were still fun songs, Thrill My Gorilla, I mean c'mon, that's funny. Other tracks I enjoy on this album are Teenage Frankenstein (which is what I felt like when I was 16), The World Needs Guts,Trick Bag (an S&M song,lol) and Crawlin'. All and all not really a great album, but it is a fun album to listen to after all these years. Favorite lyrics on this album from the song Thrill My Gorilla.
We lay on our skins,original sins
Ah,ah,ah,ah
We touch, we feel
We scream, we squeal
Thrill my gorilla
Thrill my gorilla
At the time of this incarnation of Alice's band, he had a guitar player by the name of Kane Roberts, a big muscle headed dude, who played a guitar in the shape of a machine gun, ya it was cheesie, but cool,lol

I wonder whatever became of him. I will never forget, when Alice came to Edmonton on this tour, talk about being excited, after Kiss and Stompin' Tom Connors Alice was my next big music influence at the time. I ended up getting front row seats for this show too, and it was everything I was expecting and more. And to think back in 1987 when he played here I thought I have to see him, who knows how much longer he will be around. Well, lo and behold, the man is still kicking out albums and touring to this very day.
I would give this album a FORE out of 10 (Alice fans will get this)

Grady Live @ The Pawn Shop

Wednesday evening, I got to see Grady play at The Pawn Shop on Whyte ave, which was real nice. I like the venue and it is crawling distance from home, can't beat that.
This was my fifth time seeing Grady perform, and I have to say, they just keeping getting better and better every time I see them. I would estimate about 200 people at the show, it's a small venue, so it wasn't too bad of a turnout for this show.
A-Bomb and I went to this show, he is a huge fan of Gordie Johnson as well, I believe him and I have seen Gordie together at least 10 times, in almost every possible venue in Edmonton. Once again, we weren't disappointed, we timed it perfect, walked in grabbed a couple of beers and BAM, there they are, on stage and ready to rock. And rock they did, opening with the first song from their new album , a song called Whatchewdid, excellent choice for an opening song, then going into Whiskey River. The band was super tight and sounding fucking awesome.
Grady covered songs from all 3 Grady albums and a few Big Sugar songs. I myself am prefering the Grady stuff. The band played for a solid 2 hours and never let up at all, all out balls to wall rock n' roll, my kind of show. My favorite tune of the night, was a new song from Good As Dead called Alberta Bones. There were times during the show, when Gordie would do some amazing shit on the guitar where A-Bomb and I would just look at each other and be like, wow, what the fuck was that, just an amazing guitar player.
I didn't think they played as loud as they usually do, as they are known for being extra loud, but after leaving the show and walking home, my ears were a rining big time, made it a little hard to fall asleep at first. So, ya, they still play fucking loud. All and all an awesome show and will check them out every time they come through town. I give this show a 10 out of 10. Good times!!!!

Album Review New Grady

The new Grady album Good As Dead is now out and what an awesome album it is. This is the band lead by Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar fame. This is there 3rd release and there best one yet. It's nice to see a band that gets better with each release, I find that usually doesn't happen. but it is with this great 3 piece band based in Austin,Texas.
It a good rockin' album from start to finish with a couple of surprises on it, like the Willie Nelson cover Whiskey River and a real surprise a Tragically Hip cover Boots Or Hearts, which they do a good job on.
Other stand out tracks on this album are opener Whatchedid, Alberta Bones, Truckstop In La Grange (which has a little ZZ Top riff in it), the album ends with a nother great rocker I'm A Sinner. Gordie Johnson is probably one of the most under rated guitarists around.
The band now has there 3rd drummer since they started alady by the name of Nina Singh, she fuckin' rcoks hard and I am digging her background vocals on a couple of songs. I saw her play with the band about a year ago, and she is an awesome drummer.
I would give this album an 8 out of 10.
I am looking forward to seeing them play October 21st at The Pawn Shop on Whyte Ave. This is a small venue for a loud rocking band like Grady. I hope the place don't crumble with the loud volume which Grady is known to play at.
Watch for concert review coming up this week.